Almost one billion people live in mountainous areas, and over half the human population depends on mountains for water, food and clean energy. Mountains have always captivated the imagination, providing a backdrop to stories, dreams and escape. Yet mountains are under threat from climate change, land degradation, over exploitation and natural disasters, with potentially far-reaching and devastating consequences, both for mountain communities and the rest of the world.

Since 2003, the UN has designated 11th December as International Mountain Day, to provide an occasion to highlight out climate, hunger and migration are all factors affecting highlands.

To celebrate this day, MOUNTAIN, the unique cinematic and musical collaboration between the Australian Chamber Orchestra and BAFTA-nominated director Jennifer Peedom, will be shown in cinemas across the country for one night on International Mountain Day prior to its nationwide release on 15th December.

Collated from more than 2,000 hours of footage, taken under the most extreme circumstances on the most unforgiving mountains, MOUNTAIN is a voyage to the sublime. Richard Tognetti’s classical orchestra, alongside sparse narrations of Robert MacFarlane’s text by Willem Dafoe, emotionally captures both the greatness and terror of mountains. It delves into the psychology of the summit; questioning our allure of vertiginous mountains. More than merely a physical challenge, at height we are pushed to our limit. Casting a spell on the audience with Richard’s harmonies, mountains are presented as magical places that inspire wonder; places where dreams and ambitions are discovered.

The special preview screenings will be followed by a 30-minute talk with author Robert MacFarlane and mountaineer Matthew Dieumegard-Thornton, discussing the mystique of Mountains.